Use of a Gelatin-based Consolidant to Preserve Thermally-Altered Skeletal Remains,
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[1] George Mason University
George Mason University
Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 64, Nº. 4, 2019, págs. 1135-1138
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Thermally altered skeletal remains can be very fragile and fragmented and are typically further fragmented or even destroyed when handled; recovery of such remains from a scene can therefore be extremely challenging. There are few recommendations and no generally accepted practices for preserving burned bone for recovery and transport. Here, we test whether the application of a gelatin-based consolidant at the scene can preserve thermally altered bone in the condition and relative anatomical position in which it was discovered. A solution of Knox brand gelatin and water was applied to burned pig mandibles using a spray bottle. Qualitative and quantitative analysis indicates that the application of the consolidant significantly decreased fragmentation as compared to untreated controls (p<0.05), with most of the treated mandibles remaining completely intact after recovery and transport to a secondary location. In addition to the effectiveness for preservation, the method is also easy to apply, inexpensive, and reversible.
